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Nature 432, 283-284 (18 November 2004) | doi:10.1038/432283a; Published online 17 November 2004
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Evolutionary biology: Butterfly mimics of ants
Jeremy A. Thomas1 & Josef Settele2
Abstract
Large blue butterflies are notable for their rarity and ability to dupe ants, and they are endangered. A genetic reconstruction of how social parasitism evolved among them will overturn conservation priorities.
Ants are such formidable predators that perhaps 100,000 other species of insect have evolved mechanisms to coexist with them1. Adaptations include armour to resist attack, mimicry to avoid detection, and secretions such as honeydew to feed or appease them2.
- Jeremy A. Thomas is at the NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Dorset Laboratory, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester DT2 8ZD, UK.
e-mail: Email: jat@ceh.ac.uk - Josef Settele is in the Department of Community Ecology, UFZ Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany.
e-mail: Email: josef.settele@ufz.de
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The evolution of alternative parasitic life histories in large blue butterfliesNature Letters to Editor (18 Nov 2004)
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